The Most Common Container Types Explained
When it comes to shipping containers, the dry storage container is the most widely used.
Available in lengths of 20, 40, and 45 feet, these containers are ideal for transporting dry goods.
However, dry storage containers are not suitable for chemicals or perishable foods since they do not have temperature control capabilities.
Despite this, they are the go-to choice for the majority of long-distance freight in international trade.
Among these, the 40-foot and 20-foot containers are particularly popular.
They are often preferred over tankers and reefers not only because they are more cost-effective but also because of their versatility. Scroll down to learn more about their benefits.
Given the millions of goods shipped globally each year, it’s clear that containers must accommodate items of various sizes and shapes.
This demand necessitates the use of both specialized and standard freight containers.
Standard containers, in particular, need to be easy to stack to optimize space, speed up operations, and handle a diverse range of goods.
Before delving deeper into the 40-foot container, let’s start with a high-level overview of the 20-foot container.
The decision between a 20ft and a 40ft shipping container is influenced by a number of variables, including the type of freight being shipped, the destination, and the cost. The following are the benefits of each size of container:
Benefits of a 20-foot container:
20ft containers are often less priced than 40ft containers, making them a more economical option for smaller shipments.
Maneuverability: 20-foot containers are easier to manoeuvre, which can be advantageous in confined places or when loading area access is restricted.
20-foot containers are more versatile in terms of transport alternatives, as they can typically fit on smaller vehicles and be transported by rail with greater ease.
Benefits of a 40-foot container:
When it comes to shipping larger goods or bulky cargo, 40-foot containers are an excellent choice due to their double storage capacity compared to 20-foot containers.
Using a 40-foot container for transporting a significant quantity of cargo can be more efficient, as it holds more per container, reducing the overall number of containers needed for your shipment.
Security is another advantage of 40-foot containers. They often come equipped with advanced security features like robust locking systems and CCTV cameras, which are particularly important for high-value cargo.
Ultimately, the decision between a 20-foot and a 40-foot container depends on the specific needs of your shipment, including the type of cargo, the travel distance, and your budget.
Dry containers are steel boxes designed to transport a wide variety of items. Due to their limited insulation, the products shipped in these containers need to be temperature-resistant, making them ideal for items like documents and clothing.
Often referred to as standard freight containers, these are the most popular choice among container buyers and sellers, typically available in 20- and 40-foot sizes.
The most common container sizes in use today are 20 and 40 feet. These containers are also known as Conex boxes, the pioneers of modern shipping.
The 20-foot container, or Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU), has become the industry standard for measuring cargo volume and vessel capacity.
For 40-foot containers, the term Forty-foot Equivalent Unit (FEU) is used, representing the equivalent of two TEUs.
Consider sea freight forwarding 18,000 iPads, 48,000 bananas, or 200 full-sized mattresses. It may also be loaded with twice as much using a 40-foot container.
Containers are usually made of steel or aluminium. For the optimal stacking, the containers must be the same size. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has mandated standard container sizes for the whole industry.
In this aspect, the 20-foot and 40-foot Dry Van container sizes are similar. They are known as dry vans because they can transport most dry material.
Anything from boxes, barrels, and pallets to already-hanging garments can be used. in addition to everything in between.The interiors of the containers can be modified to accommodate the vast majority of dry freight.
Like Dry Storage containers, but without a lid, this type of storage unit is ideal for use in wet environments. This facilitates the loading of bulky goods. A plastic roof can be attached to the container and secured with ropes to keep out the rain and other forms of precipitation.
Drayage services include overheight frames are used to transport equipment of this sort since the load may exceed the height of the shipping container.
Equiped with doors on both ends of the container, tunnel container storage design helps to unload or load cargo quickly.
One long side of an open-side container can be opened completely. This is helpful for items that are too wide to easily fit through the door of a tunnel container or dry storage container.
The side opens like a pair of doors, but it may be locked in place if necessary to keep your merchandise safe.
Making a wider room for loading and unloading shipments, it’s equipped with double doors. Commonly filled with construction materials including iron, steel etc., in sizes of 20ft and 40ft.
There is no roof or sidewalls on a flat rack container. As a result, bulky items can be loaded onto the rack from above or to the side with ease. The standard length for a flat rack container is 20 feet, however they can also be 40 feet in length.
Not all flat rack containers are rigid; some can be folded down, while others have optional walls that may be connected to the framework.
Tanks are containers with the speciality of storing fluids. Due to the chemicals they transport, they are typically made from corrosion-resistant materials.
Besides liquids, tanks can also be used to store sugar and other dry products.
A unique kind of intermodal container called a reefer, commonly referred to as a refrigerated container, is made to transport perishable items that need to be kept at a steady temperature.
Despite having its own internal refrigeration system, a reefer still needs to be powered by outlets (also known as “reefer points”) on the dock, inside the container, or somewhere else.
The container can be equipped with diesel generators (“gen sets”) that can run while it is being transported on a trailer or rail wagon.
In refrigerated containers, temperatures between -65 and 40 degrees Celsius can be maintained.
These containers are only half the height of standard containers and are made primarily of steel. Typically used for goods that need minimal effort to load and unload, such as coal, stones, and the like. More and more Containerized Bulk goods is being shipped in these containers.
These containers are equipped with regulated temperature control to maintain a higher temperature. Most suitable for long-distance transportation of products.
Enhance Your Supply Chain with Paige Logistics’ Intermodal Solutions
Customized storage containers come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Items that can’t be stored in a standard shipping container are transported using them.
Because of the high costs associated with manufacturing and delivering specialized containers, most Canadian shipping companies try to avoid using them. To be fair, this is required for some loads.
Be it a container from China to Canada or shipping from Canada to USA or specifically hotter places like shipping refrigerated freight from Canada to California. With the right implementation from Paige Logistics, we can revolutionize your supply chain with our award winning dedicated transport and logistics services and keep your products fresh and safe during transit.
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